Hunter sidelined two months with triceps tear

Onlookers noted the Broncos' practice on Tuesday for its intensity, and unfortunately, the price of going hard when it doesn't yet count can sometimes come with a heavy price.

A day after longtime starting right guard Chris Kuper was lost to a broken bone in his forearm (four to six weeks), the news is worse on newly-minted starting defensive end Jason Hunter.

Hunter suffered a torn triceps that will cost him at least two months, and possibly the entire season; a similar injury forced DT Ty Warren to miss all of 2011.

According to Mike Klis, Hunter was hurt while attacking a blocking sled during a drill.

Hunter, who turns 29 on August 28, excelled as a linebacker during his first season with Denver in 2010, grading out at plus-5.6 (772 snaps) according to PFF. As a reserve defensive end (415 snaps) last season, he fell off to a minus-2.6 grade.

But he had been so impressive in this training camp, that he displaced incumbent starter Robert Ayers and drew heaping praise from defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio.

Behind Hunter on the team's official depth chart is second-round pick Derek Wolfe, followed by second-year player Jeremy Beal, who had two sacks in Thursday night's preseason opener at Chicago.

Ayers is listed as Elvis Dumervil's primary backup, but it's likely he'll see more playing time opposite Dumervil with Hunter's injury.

Doug is IAOFM’s resident newsman and spelling czar. Follow him on Twitter @IAOFM

As a followup to Friday's piece, Doc breaks down the play of Robert Ayers against the Seahawks, and he doesn't like what he finds.

Ayers two sacks against Pittsburgh, and got another sack in the preseason game against Chicago. I'm not ready to write him off yet.

Posted by magster on 2012-08-15 20:07:14

Word from camp is that Wolfe will be taking Hunter's slot, rather than Ayers. Interesting development. It does give Beal a more realistic shot at making the roster.

Posted by Doc Bear on 2012-08-15 19:32:19

Certainly hard to lose Hunter for what may be the season but the good thing is our depth is better than it has been in the past. It's now Ayers' turn to show that he can rise to the occasion and the chance for Jeremy Beal to make the final roster. It's possible the Broncos could keep an eye on veterans who might be available simply to push the younger guys.

I do hope, though, this is the last we hear about injuries to players who are expected to play significant roles this season.

Posted by Bob on 2012-08-15 13:41:21

Only about 20 more weeks.

Posted by Chuck Breedlove on 2012-08-15 13:07:37

When does the contact at camp start to slow down? In other words, how much longer do I need to cross my fingers to prevent more camp injuries?

Posted by OutOfYourElement on 2012-08-15 12:53:28

Damn. The way JDR was talking him up had me excited. Ugh injuries suck. But Ayers and Wolfe should be able to fill in for him while he's out.

Posted by rich on 2012-08-15 11:53:42

Too late to put Hunter on PUP - a player has to go on the PUP before TC (there is a second kind of PUP they are using for Leonhard, but that can't apply to Hunter because he won't be ready by the start of the season).This will bring up the issue of whether to give Hunter a roster spot for two months or just put him on IR now.I didn't realize Hunter was 29 (almost).

Posted by bradley on 2012-08-15 11:41:29

PUP list for Hunter then? Gives a guy like Beal a real shot at proving himself.

Posted by Steve Williams on 2012-08-15 11:35:09

The only reason this feels like a bummer is because Hunter had been talked up the first few weeks of camp by Jack Del Rio. It's always nice to have depth on the Dline, but I think Wolfe and Ayers can fill in fine for Hunter. This certainly isn't as big of a deal as losing Kuper.